Should I be embarrassed by the amount of joy I get from reading someecards?
Don’t answer that.
In other news, happy Friday, everyone! Got any fun plans for the weekend? We’re on what feels like the 27th weekend in a row of zip, zilch, nada on the calendar, except trolling Amazon Prime for soap dispensers. #sendhelp We’ve got a nutty couple of months coming up traveling for work and friends, so it’s been tough trying to fit in a much-needed, family-only getaway before summer hits. Every time we think we’ve got a free week, I remember something that wasn’t on the calendar, or March Madness game watching gets in the way.
March Madness: YOU’RE KILLING ME.
Anyway, wherever you are and whatever you do have a wonderful weekend and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite crunch: Fried Calamari. Ever since I got over my fear of deep frying (looking at you, Fried Goat Cheese Balls and Chicken Fingers with Everything Sauce,) I embrace the chance to try recipes at home that I’d usually have to go to a restaurant to enjoy. This pile of Fried Calamari not only has me craving the satisfying crunch you can only get from cooking something in piping hot oil, but the flavor of Fried Calamari drizzled with fresh lemon always makes me think of happy hour on a patio. Spring can’t get here soon enough!
Favorite clean slate: 100+ Things to Throw Away. YES to this list to help declutter our homes and lives of random little things that we overlook every single day. This is the best list of it’s kind that I’ve seen. Pick one number a day for the next 3-4 months and give your old, broken, and tired stuff the heave-ho.
Favorite fashion: Flutter Sleeve Top. I bought this top at J Crew last week and LOVE it. Lightweight but not sheer (are we almost done with the sheer fabric movement, clothing companies?!) and easy to dress up or down. I want one in every color!
Favorite fusion: Slow Cooker Carnitas Kimchi Fries. Can we talk about how Lauren from Climbing Grier Mountain always has the best, most interesting recipes?? Her double-decker Mexican/Korean fusion fries are calling my name. Loudly.
Favorite project. Sad news at Casa de IGE – we have to get rid of our pond this spring. ? It was what really sold us on the house when we bought it in 2013 but we’ve had several electricians over to look at the electrical (the pumps keep going out,) and they won’t touch it with a 10 foot pole since it was built by the previous homeowner vs a licensed electrician. Aside from that, the maintenance is insane, it attracts (big) wild animals, and the mosquito situation is pretty bad.
All that to say, we have a very large project ahead of us this spring and I REALLY want it to look something like this at the end. It’s got everything we could ever want! I’ll keep you posted on our progress!
Favorite skillet: Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet. 5 ingredients, great reviews, and on the table in 10 minutes? On the menu for tonight.
Favorite find. My life summed up in a sweatshirt.
Favorite tutorial: Easy Topknot that Stays Put All Day. I will admit to knot (see what I did there? ?) even being able to sit through this short tutorial on how to make an easy topknot that stays put all day before racing up to my bathroom to try it for myself. I used a small claw vs a large one, and used just one ponytail holder instead of two, and it was a complete success! I am always insanely jealous of women who can effortlessly swoop their hair into a gorgeous, messy topknot, but now we can join the ranks, muwhahaha!
Favorite fake-out: Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) Ali’s description of how she nailed this homemade version of Thai Drunken Noodles had me searching for the ingredients to make it mere minutes later. I still need to get my hands on gluten-free oyster sauce, then it. is. ON!
Favorite decor. I’ve been looking for a dining room table with a bench on one side for literally 2+ years now, but never thought to look for a high-backed tufted bench instead of a backless one. Game changer! Love this pretty look.
Sarah W 02.29.2016
I’d go with the original–can’t get enough of that cognac! Sorry about your pond, what a bummer, although that patio would be gorgeous!
Deborah 02.29.2016
For the leather tote, I am really drawn to the blue and gray colors. Although the original color is pretty amazing!
Tenaya 02.29.2016
I would choose the original color, so pretty!
Robyn S 02.29.2016
I’d do the original vintage or the brown! Love the bag!
Melinda 02.29.2016
Vintage!
Meagan 02.29.2016
I would love the dreamy brown one!
Jill 02.29.2016
I love that blue! I would choose either the blue or black tote. Thank you!
Alisha 02.29.2016
The original
Jen 02.29.2016
Would love this beautiful tote in the Original color! That fire pit looks so lovely as well. Cheers!
martina 02.29.2016
I love the original!
Kelly 02.29.2016
It would be amazing to win, I would choose the vintage tan or the gray.
I also love the food choices, will be making the shrimp! :)
Stephanie 02.29.2016
Lordy! This may be the best giveaway I have seen in awhile! (Do those totes ever go on sale? ) I love the original color! (And now I must have that JCrew top!) Can’t wait to see what your patio will look like. I have always wanted a fire pit for parties and that looks PERFECT! Love the seating.
Shana 02.29.2016
I love your Friday Favorite and this beautiful bag!
Shana 02.29.2016
I love your Friday favoite posts!
Thea 02.29.2016
The shrimp skillet looks so good! And so do those bags. Would love to win!
Faith 02.29.2016
GRAY
Erica 02.29.2016
AHH!! These are so cute. I am completely torn between the original and the brown. I’d probably have to pick at random and would be happy with either #indecisivelife
Sara Snitker 02.29.2016
I cannot wait to see how your backyard looks when you finish it. I am sure it is tough to lose the pond but that picture looks sublime! I am totally digging the Tote Bag in Natural!
Kelsey 02.29.2016
The blue is so gorgeous!! Reminds me of spring.
Courtney 02.29.2016
I love the original or neutral color! Such a gorgeous bag.